DOHA, April 30: An overwhelming majority of Qataris said ‘yes’ to a written constitution ushering in a limited democracy, according to referendum results announced Wednesday.
“This is a historic development in Qatar’s history,” Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr al-Thani said of Tuesday’s vote in the gas-rich monarchy.
Qatar’s first constitution since independence in 1971 will leave real power with the emir and his family but give citizens a greater say in the running of their country.
The new constitution was approved by 96.6 percent of some 68,987 voters, said Interior Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Nasser al-Thani.
A total of 71,406 Qataris were eligible to vote in the referendum. Qatar has only about 150,000 nationals among a population of 650,000.
“Among the other measures expected on the road to realizing democracy is the election of the Majlis al-Shura” or consultative council, the foreign minister said.
The council would be made up of 45 members, two-thirds of whom would be elected in 2004 to four-year terms and the rest appointed by the emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.
Foreign Minister Thani has emerged as one of the fiercest advocates of greater political openness in Qatar, a drive started by the emir since he took power after deposing his father in 1995.
Bahrain set off on the same path last year and restored parliament after nearly three decades, and Kuwait also has a parliament.
In Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, members of consultative councils are appointed by the ruler, while Oman elects members to its advisory body.
But real power rests with the ruling families in all six countries.
Yemen’s proposed constitution would set up a separation of executive, legislative and judicial powers.
Political parties would still not be allowed, in line with the Gulf tribal tradition of looser associations or movements.
Foreign Minister Thani said the constitution would offer “a good example for other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council”, comprised of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain as well as Qatar.
Qatari officials insist the referendum was not called due to pressure from the United States, which this month led the toppling of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship in the name of democracy and “liberation” for Iraqis.
Nonetheless, the vote was expected to boost growing links with the United States. Qatar hosted the US-led coalition’s forward command center for the Iraq war.—AFP